PennDOT decision to close bridge blindsides Run for the Red

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation blindsided Run for the Red organizers when word got out that the marathon course would have to be changed just a few weeks before the May race.

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By HOWARD FRANK

poconorecord.com

By HOWARD FRANK

Posted Apr. 13, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 21, 2013 at 4:15 PM

By HOWARD FRANK

Posted Apr. 13, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Apr 21, 2013 at 4:15 PM

» Social News

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation blindsided Run for the Red organizers when word got out that the marathon course would have to be changed just a few weeks before the May race.

A bridge closing jeopardizes the marathon and the tens of thousands of dollars it raises for local residents facing crises.

The race has cumulatively netted $328,000 over seven years for the American Red Cross of the Poconos, money used for people made homeless by fire, hurricanes like Sandy and Irene, and military families facing tragedy.

It's the organization's single largest fundraiser of the year, according to Executive Director Jim Reinhardt.

"You've never seen anything as sad as coming up to a house at two in the morning and seeing a family with a couple of kids standing on the front lawn watching their home burn down. And then there is someone behind them offering shelter and clothes. That's why we do it," said race director Bob Werts.

Werts learned about the bridge closing by accident less than seven weeks before the race and only received official word when he called PennDOT on March 29 or April 1. Construction will begin just 34 days before the race.

The lack of advance notice couldn't be helped, PennDOT spokesman Ron Young said.

"When projects are under design, the dates for construction are strictly estimates, so there may be times when permits are issued and projects unintentionally impact events," he said.

The course change was caused by the reconstruction of a structurally deficient bridge on Route 191 over the Brodhead Creek in Stroud Township.

Werts was told by PennDOT officials it would cost $360,000 to delay the project.

"There are stream restrictions that dictate when the contractor can work," Young said. "The Brodhead Creek is deemed by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission as a wild trout stream, therefore in-stream construction is restricted between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31."

Delaying the work now to accommodate the race, combined with the stream restrictions, would entail a longer work schedule, pushing it through winter into next spring. That, Young said, would make bridge replacement more costly.

The bridge is scheduled to close Monday. The race is scheduled for May 19.

A revised completion date for the bridge is May 2014, right around the time of next year's race. Moving the construction starting date back this year would likely push the completion date to November 2014, forcing a rerouting of the race next year.

The Run for the Red 5K road race will remain the same, regardless of any marathon course change.

The revised race course isn't a done deal yet, either.

Each township the race passes through — Tunkhannock, Jackson, Chestnuthill, Hamilton and Stroud townships — must agree to indemnify PennDOT before the agency issues a permit for the race.

Stroud isn't anticipated to be a problem, since the old course went through the township. Officials from Jackson could not be reached Friday.

Roads along the race course will be open for vehicular traffic. The original race course was always closed for traffic, but the last-minute nature of the course change makes it impossible to organize closures in such a short amount of time.

"It's obviously not as good a situation as having no vehicles on the road, but we've already tried to get the word out that people should be cognizant of people on the road and be careful," Werts said.

The backs of sandwich board mile markers will have a caution message for drivers that runners are on the road. The markers are placed at the end of each mile.

Local marathoner Rod Hasker is excited about the change.

"The course is typical of what anybody running here in the foothills of the Poconos should expect," he said. "Lots of hills, both up and down, and a sprinkle of level."

Some runners are filled with anxiety over the course change, according to Hasker, since most everyone has been preparing for a known, tried-and-true race course for six or more months.

"The course will be a challenge," said Scott Ewing, local runner and official marathon timekeeper. "The roads in Effort/Jackson are choppy, lots of short ups and downs. I like the course change."

But the alternate race course isn't popular with everyone.

Although it has practically the same drop in elevation, 1,400 feet, as the original at 1,405, this year's race will be hillier and have more of the elevation drop over a shorter distance.

The race has become a popular Boston Marathon qualifier nationally over the past few years because of the speed of the course. Runners may not be able to achieve the same fast times on the alternate course.

"I'm certain we're going to get some people not happy with the change, but it's either this race or no race at all," Werts said.

Anyone not wishing to run this year because of the course change can get a deferral, meaning their entry fee will be applied to next year's race. But refunds will not be issued.

Why not?

Werts said: "The American Red Cross needs the money to take care of people in this area in times of disaster, and the whole idea of this race is to raise money for the Red Cross in this community."

He said race officials have already received some deferrals.

As for those who live and work near the alternate course, Werts said, "I ask the public for eight hours a year. You'll be inconvenienced once a year, and it's beneficial to everyone, so I'm asking for their understanding and patience."